Monthly Archives: March 2013

All Our Stories – The Spirit of An Old Tannery at Kelcliffe

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Driver's Gravestone, Guiseley Churchyard. Source; W Sutherland, findagrave.com

Driver’s Gravestone, Guiseley Churchyard. Source; W Sutherland, findagrave.com

It started with a newspaper cutting from the Leeds Intelligencer,  24 October 1780, found by local historian, Barbara Winfield just after Christmas 2012, on the British Library Digitised Newspaper Archive website – the first indication that Kelcliffe might have originally been a tannery for the local area.  Remembering that Guiseley would have been a good walk down Kelcliffe Lane to Town Gate at that time: and, that tanneries were sited away from villages because of the dreadful smell.

An advertisement in the paper said that on the 16th November 1780 a freehold messuage (dwelling, and barns) at Kelcliffe, with tan house, tan yard, and drying houses, with 45 Continue reading →

All Our Stories – Parkinson’s Park Was Once A Large River Delta

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David Leather, examining the tidal lamination in Fairy Dell

David Leather, examining the tidal lamination in Fairy Dell

As part of the Geology project Mr David Leather MSc, a local geology expert, member of Yorkshire Geological Society and author of guide books  on the Yorkshire Dales came to survey the Park in February –  recommended by the Wharfedale Naturalists.  David is doing a full report on his findings,  and making recommendations for how FOPP can capture the information so as to share the ancient story of the Park’s formation.

One of the first remarks of this retired geography teacher from Salts’ Grammar, as he stood looking out over the valley towards Wharfedale, was that the terrain was unusual, and not a typical ‘text book’ glacial landscape.

Looking at his maps,  the Park itself sits on and area of interlocking millstone and Guiseley grit layers that make up the Chevin.  These were laid down many millions of years ago, when the Park was part of a big river delta.  In the nearby quarry at Fairy Dell, there are signs of ‘tidal lamination’ – fine layers of rock laid down by tidal action, that David was Continue reading →

All Our Stories – Projects to Get Involved With

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HLFFollowing our success with receiving an Heritage Lottery Fund,  All Our Stories Grant (there were over 1,000 applications and 542 were successful),  we now have four research projects running to look at the history of the Park site, and its connection to local people and their lives.   If you would like to join in the research for any of these projects please email us on parkinsonspark@gmail.com.

The development of the research and the project will be recorded on the Parkinson’s Park blog, and will be kept by the Heritage Lottery Fund as a digital record for the future.

Geology – Telling the story of the geological formation of the Park’s surroundings in an information board.

Ecology – Telling the story of certain aspects of the Park’s current ecology.

Archaeology – Looking into the Park’s past and what the land may have been used for and how this linked to the local economy and society.

Cultural History – What do records tell us of the Park’s use by local people, both pre and post 1937.   Barbara Winfield is particularly looking for stories of the use of the Park after Frank and Albert Parkinson developed it.

Other organizations receiving All Our Stories grants range from 100 years of Cambridge United Football Club, to an exploration of the development and demise of Nottingham Tower Block living, and why the Chinese community developed in Swansea.  We feel very luck to have been awarded a grant, and are keen to involve everyone who would like to make a contribution to The Great British Story.

FOPP Polo Shirts and Fleeces by Chris Parapia

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FOPP Fleece

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FOPP Polos

The Friends Of Parkinson’s Park can now buy either a fleece or polo shirt with our own logo,  which has  been designed by Ian Hobson.

The items are availale from Wharfedale Embroidery in Otley.  However, if you are interested in purchasing one, then please contact Chris Parapia on parkinsonspark@gmail.com.  If a few people are interested we may be able to negotiate a discount. These are just sample colours, others are available.

2013 Season Gets Off To ‘Fruitful’ Start

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Incredible Edible Inspired Raised Beds

Incredible Edible Inspired Raised Beds

Inspired by the example of Incredible Edible,  Sue Jackson and Steve Magson have created some raised beds near the Farm Gate Entrance,  to plant herbs and other produce.   Just one of the tasks completed by the ‘friends’ on the first of the 2013 monthly Park upkeep days  – and,  as with the first tree planting event a year ago,  the sun turned up to warm endeavours.

Richard Lamb and Barbara Winfield,  did a fantastic job clearing up several large bags of winter debris,  including broken sledges;  maybe some discarded sledge parts should be left as a time capsule for future archeologists.

Darren Shepherd and Andy Cheetham, planted a wildlife shrub border along the wall of Little Kelcliffe with plants donated by the Woodland Trust;   Nicola and John Denson replenished the shrubs on Jubilee Walk which had suffered from over zealous strimming, and Josie Brooks landscaped more appealing looking shrub island along the ridge path and planted bulbs.

Anyone interested in taking part in future upkeep days, or with ideas they’d like to implement in the Park,  should contact us at parkinsonspark@gmail.com.

White Cross Vets Fund New Hillside Bin by Chris Parapia

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White Cross Vetinary Nurse, Amanda Hatfield withe the Hillside Bin

Saturday 2nd March;  what a beautiful sunny spring morning,  and what better time to celebrate the “official” bin naming ceremony at the end of Hillside Avenue.  After many months of negotiation and perseverance the new bin has finally made it into position.

Many thanks to Tim Harrison and staff at White Cross Vets Practice for sponsoring the cost of the bin,  and to committee members Josie Brooks, Nicola Denson and Chris Parapia for their persistance.  Thanks also to Councillor Latty and Martin Beaumont from Leeds City Council for ensuring that the bin was supplied.

Thanks also to White Cross Vets for supplying us with some “doggie” bags which we gave out to passing dog walkers with very positive comments.